My Genealogy Hound

John H. Cornish (deceased). Mr. Cornish was for many years one of the prominent citizens of Union County, and also one of the pioneers, coming here from Lauderdale County, Ala., in 1833. The paternal grandfather settled in Virginia at a very early date and died in Fairfax County. His son, William, Sr., married and partly reared a family of four children—three sons and one daughter—and both the grandfather and father were in the Revolutionary War, where the latter, who was but a boy, was in the courier service. The father of our subject, William, Sr., removed to Georgia prior to 1800, and there, at the birth of John H., his wife died, after which the family became somewhat scattered, and John H., with his sister, was taken to Kentucky by a friend of the family, by whom they were principally reared. The remainder of the family was in Georgia and Florida. In early youth John H. went to Tennessee, Giles County, and there clerked a year or so. When about twenty-one years of age he went to Lauderdale County, Ala., where he served a term as deputy sheriff, and was also married, about this time, to Miss Jane D. Howe, a native of South Carolina; two sons were born to this marriage, in said county. Mr. Cornish resided in that county until 1833, when he emigrated to Arkansas by way of Memphis and Little Rock (both of which places were but small villages at this time). He was strongly persuaded by the citizens of the latter place to remain, but preferred to push on, and from the fact of an accident to his wagon he located five miles south of the present site of El Dorado. He resided on this but two years, when he sold out and bought another farm in the vicinity, then sold this to Mr. Norris and removed to a place in the woods, about seven miles northeast of El Dorado. Soon after settling in the county he was elected sheriff, and so well did he fill this position and so popular did he become, that he held the same for nine consecutive terms, making a period of eighteen years in constant office. At the time of his first election the area of this county was very large, and his trips over the country on official business were often attended with danger and adventure. During the term of his office he executed three criminals. In 1846 he moved to El Dorado, erected a hotel at that place, and was landlord for many years. He was also engaged in merchandising for some time, and later changed the hotel property for a plantation three miles south of town. He then carried on farming for some time, but after some time sold out, and as he had always owned town property, retired to this. His death occurred on December 21, 1868, while on a visit to a son and daughter in Texas. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his house was always the home of the circuit rider. His marriage resulted in the birth of five sons and two daughters: William H. (went to California in 1849 and died on his way home, while on the Gulf of Mexico, where he was buried), John L. (graduated in medicine at Philadelphia, removed to Texas, where he practiced his profession, and after the war began business at Waco, where he died in 1887), Rufus K. (died soon after removal to Texas in 1869), Amanda C. (wife of Dr. J. C. Hightower, was married at El Dorado about 1849, removed to Texas during the war, and at her home Mr. Cornish received his final summons). The mother made her home with this daughter until her death, at the residence of Dr. J. C. Hightower in Bremond, Tex., June 8, in her eighty-fifth year. Mrs. Cornish was the wife and relict of John H. Cornish, the first sheriff of Union County, Ark., who held the office for nearly twenty years in succession. She was born in Chester District, S. C.; from there, at an early age, moved with her parents to Lauderdale County, Ala., where she was met and wooed by her above-mentioned husband. Two sons were born to them in that county, thence they moved overland in carriage to Arkansas, about the year 1832 or 1833, via Memphis and Little Rock, which places at that time were small villages; settling in Union County (the said county then embracing what is now known as Union, Bradley, Columbia, Calhoun and parts of Ashley and Hempstead Counties). She was the mother of seven children—five sons and two girls—five of these were born in Union County, Ark.; lived to see them all grown, and to meet several of her great-grandchildren. She and her husband were consistent members of the Methodist Church, South, and their home was ever that of the Methodist ministry. The sainted Winfield and the Rev. Andrew Hunter were their very dear friends, knowing them from their earliest ministry in this State. Her life was a devotion to her husband and children, especially the latter; since her husband’s death, which occurred in December, 1868, at Smith’s Mill, Milam County, Tex., whilst on a visit to his daughter, and where he now sleeps, awaiting the call of the Master. Her last days were accompanied with much pain and suffering, but she bore all with gentle patience, lived out her days, and God took her; her life passing out as sweet and soft as the last strain of the Eolian harp. Isabella J. Cornish, wife of Henry Hightower, moved to Texas, settled in Milam County, and there her husband died. She now resides with her sister and brother-in-law, at Bremond, Tex. Wesley W., who gave the facts for the above-mentioned sketch, was born in Union County, was reared principally in El Dorado, and attended the schools of that town until eighteen years of age. He then engaged as clerk in the store of his father, and has filled that position in most of the stores of the town. During the late war he enlisted in Company A, First Arkansas Regiment Infantry, A. S. Morgan, captain, and was in the battle of Manassas, Shiloh, was with Gen. Bragg in Kentucky, and all through the engagements of the campaign. He was at Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, then was taken prisoner and retained at Rock Island for fifteen months. When the general exchange was effected it was near the close of the war. After this he engaged in farming, and this has been his principal occupation since. In 1879 he removed to Franklin County, and served as assistant agent at Ozark Station for three years. In 1887 he came back to El Dorado and has been engaged as clerk and book-keeper since. He is a member of the K. of H. He was married, November 19, 1868, to Miss Mattie Chew, a daughter of William P. Chew, and one child is the result of this union, Winton C, whose birth occurred in 1870. This young man has been engaged as traveling salesman for two years, and is now with Carter Bros. & Co., of Louisville, Ky., and is the youngest drummer in the State. Wesley W. is a member of the Baptist Church. The youngest member of the above-mentioned family, Andrew J. Cornish, is now residing in this county and is engaged in farming. He was too young to enlist in the army at the outbreak of the war, but went of his own volition to the Virginia army and was present in the engagements at, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Sharpsburg, after which he was sent home, being under age, serving thereafter in the cavalry service on the west side of the Mississippi River.